i am > i was

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Released late in the year, the Atlanta rapper's sophomore studio album demonstrated a massive leap in maturity and artistic focus. While retaining his signature cold, deadpan delivery, the record features incredibly lush, menacing trap production and surprisingly introspective verses regarding his violent past and industry standing. Heavily bolstered by a standout, Grammy-winning guest verse from J. Cole, it secured his position as a dominant mainstream rap force.